• Kauai could go bankrupt • Firearms are neither safe nor unsafe • This is unbelievable Kauai could go bankrupt Councilman Gary Hooser, the co-author of controversial Bill 2491, did not show up at either talk story session about GMO farming,
• Kauai could go bankrupt • Firearms are neither safe nor unsafe • This is unbelievable
Kauai could go bankrupt
Councilman Gary Hooser, the co-author of controversial Bill 2491, did not show up at either talk story session about GMO farming, food and our future on the west side or east side to learn about the scientific realities of GMOs.
Mr. Hooser and others are believing propaganda that is hearsay. Rats getting cancer from eating GMO food is a common scare tactic. Come to learn from the talk story session with five prominent scientists that the rats in the study that ate non-GMO food also contacted cancer. The rats used in the study are the variety prone to cancer. This is one of many scarred rumors that need to be heard.
In the interim, I am afraid that the contrarians (South Park calls the ones whose parents came to Kauai on cruise ships) the same people behind the demise of the superferry are back.
Councilman Hooser was instrumental in the demise of the superferry, which in turn caused the airlines to have a monopoly on inter-island travel and now charge outrageous prices. Many times you can fly from Honolulu to Las Vegas round-trip cheaper than a round-trip from Kauai to Oahu.
Now if Bill 2491 passes it would add drastically to unemployment on Kauai, possibly leading Kauai to do what Detroit just did, file bankruptcy.
It’s time to stand up to Hooser and listen to facts, not hearsay.
James “Kimo” Rosen
Kapaa
Firearms are neither safe nor unsafe
Just read and reread Martin Mills’ letter (let’s talk about the influence of guns, TGI, July 25) and came away totally confused. Forgive me, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was trying to convey. Was it anti-gun? Uh, I think so. Was it pro-gun? Uh, I doubt it.
Any discussions on firearms stir the emotions, whether it be bad or good but it just does. It’s human nature. Firearms in and by themselves are neither safe nor unsafe. It always takes the human element to define that, just like so many other things in life.
It’s easy and convenient to blame the inanimate object for evil actions. Society has become conditioned to misplace the most important factor of all, accountability. The person who owns that trigger finger should be held accountable for any wrong doing. The type, capacity, caliber or color of the firearm is completely irrelevant. Period. End of story.
But of course, I’m a realist. I understand that a vast number of people will not even consider any of my points. I’m OK with that. Our Founding Fathers have ensured your right to disagree with me. Just as my right to keep and bear arms helps to ensure you get to enjoy that right.
Yes I’m an enthusiast.
I do enjoy firearms, a sport and hobby my father and I enjoyed since I was old enough to ride a bike without training wheels. My dad said to me, he hoped that being trained to handle and respect (bb and pellet) guns early would prevent me from doing stupid things (real guns) with them later in life. It worked. Well how ‘bout that?
Stephen Shioi
Kapaa
This is unbelievable
Tax shock. I own a home in Princeville that I long-term lease and have had a wonderful older couple there for over five years. I maintain my yard and home as the income from this home provides me with a major portion of income for my retirement.
Due to the current “value” and the new tax rate, the tax bill increased about 100 percent! First, I am out about $200 per month as the tenants have a long-term lease. Once the lease is up, do I increase the rent for these great tenants $200 per month to make up for my tax cost?
Second, for those owners who vacation rent, their taxes are really increasing. Most have a substantial negative cash flow. Will this be the tipping point where they just say sell, thus lowering the value of a significant portion of Kauai real estate having one of the highest tax rates?
I don’t mind paying increased taxes to a degree, but 100 percent is far above reason. The cost of running the county, adding departments, etc., increases and is not always responsible and not necessarily with a better quality of the services. What is the Council thinking?
I know they try their best, but something was missed here. As a long-term council member would say, “unbelievable!”
Now with the increased tax revenues, while they last before property values drop, will the county become more efficient and responsible regarding their spending? What do you think?
Tom Bartlett
Koloa
